A shorter chapter I know. But I am building on the story and thought to give a smaller section first before introducing the next chapter which will be quite lengthy. Stay tuned.

Chapter 11

Clarice felt a lot of anxiety after the first treatment. Her mind seemed fuzzy and her thoughts seemed distant. She felt beside herself. Dr. Lecter told her it was natural and that eventually she would come to terms with it. Patience was never one of Clarice's strong points, but she trusted his advice. She was laying in her own bed and went over her thoughts. They all came up at once and she had to sort through the rush of emotions she was feeling.

I have my own bedroom and bathroom…he has given me all the space I require. He does not barge in without knocking. He respects me and my privacy. Perhaps he is in his own bed and this very moment wondering what I am doing. What kind of things happened to him to push him to the point where he experimented on his own mind? Would he tell me if I asked? I wonder what I will see after tomorrow's treatment…

Her thoughts were interrupted by a gentle tap on her door. Three distinct knocks and Clarice knew it was him. He would not enter without her permission.

She smiled to herself. She lay in her bed nude, only a sheet was covering her body. Her smile grew more wicked. She decided to see what would come of this. She sat up in the bed ad pulled the sheet up to cover her breasts. Her nipples were hard under the cover. It would be easy to tell she had nothing on underneath.

"You may enter."

Dr. Lecter opened the door with a tray of hot tea and a bowl of soup. When he noticed her shapely form under the sheet, his breath caught in his throat and he nearly dropped the tray. Just a minor misstep. Most people probably wouldn't have even noticed, but Clarice did.

Ever the professional, he maintained his composure, "Clarice, I brought you some tea and soup to help with the side effects from the treatment."

"Thank you Doctor."

She began to stand beside her bed dragging the sheet along with her. It covered her, as she began the next step toward him. The last of the sheet trailing off the bed and behind her. It looked like a long train from a wedding dress. Dr. Lecter had stopped breathing for a moment and set the tray down on the dresser. When he turned back to face her, she closed the distance and stood right in front of him, with his back against the dresser. He still had not taken a breath yet.

"Do I frighten you Doctor?"

His breath hitched, "You terrify me Clarice."

She placed a hand in his chest and was surprised to feel his heartbeat hasten. She thought back to the poor nurse that he attacked, his heartbeat never went above 85.

"Why?"

He looked deep in her eyes, "Because you are a deep roller little Starling. Wild and unpredictable."

Their faces were so close to each other, they could feel their hot breath on each other's face.

"What do you want from me Doctor?"

"I don't think you are ready to hear that answer?"

"Oh? When will I be ready?"

"When the treatments have ended and Clarice Starling will be free. And only then."

"I am free now."

"No. You are under the influence of some very powerful drugs. While this person is a part of you, you are still not entirely here. You are feeling beside yourself are you not?"

Dr. Lecter took a step forward, now their bodies and chest's were touching, "When the day finally comes Clarice, there will be no more doubts or questions, but until then…" his lips were practically brushing against hers, "all good things to those who wait."

He turned to leave the room and gently closed the door behind him. Clarice was observing her self now. Her face was flush, she felt hot, wet, and her heart was pounding.

A dangerous game indeed.